The book also has many chapters on Florida writers. Some are personal reminiscences about authors David has known-John D. MacDonald and Borden Deal, for example; and some are homage-like visits to places important to Tennessee Williams and Jack Kerouac. Perhaps the most interesting chapter in the book deals with the movie theater David bought in Sarasota back in 1980. He thought he was going to show art films, but the town just wasn't ready. It was ready for a porno theater, though, and thus the South Trail XXX Cinema was born. By a strange twist of fate, this is where Pee-wee Herman was arrested in 1990, thus making it the most famous porno theater in the United States. Typically, David was in New Mexico at the time, camping in the desert and waiting for a UFO to appear and didn't even find out about it until two weeks later.

For all you old girlfriends of David (and you'd be amazed at how many local women, now well into middle age, David has dated at one time or another) here's the big news-he's found somebody. She's an art dealer and she often appears on "Antiques Roadshow," appraising works of art. She recently found a painting worth millions and was on the "Today" show. Do I think we'll be hearing wedding bells? Who knows? I just hope she likes bars.

And finally, there's the most colorful Sarasota writer of all. I refer, of course, to Lary Crews, or, as he is now known, Lari Crews. I'm sure many of you remember Lary from 10 years ago, when he penned a series of mysteries that took place in Tampa and Sarasota. Many local people and places put in an appearance in Lary's books, and he also wrote for all the local publications. Well, Lary is now living in Burbank, California, where he has a new career-he performs a magic act while dressed as a woman, complete with makeup and heels. He recently got a wonderful gig, doing tricks for people while they stand in line waiting to get into the Jay Leno show. Which just goes to show the big problem when it comes to writing fiction. No matter what you come up with, the truth is always stranger.